I've built 2 CBGs. Both are approximately the same size. See photos.
The Partages sounds great, while the Don Thomas is unpleasant sounding. Too thin and wiry.
While it is tempting to blame the sound difference on the fact that one is wood and the other is composite, I'm wondering if those two big 2" sound holes might be part of the problem. Are those two holes too much for the top. Can that produce a thin tone?
What are your thoughts?
I have made several guitars, both with and with out sound holes. I get more sound and a better sound from no sound holes, it's difficult to believe. You can still use piezos and get great sound on electric. Sound holes I think are not necessary.
As mentioned, bridge material is important. Bridge height is too. Maybe for your next fretted build try having the fretboard sit a little higher than the box lid. This will allow for a higher bridge and also more clearance for the strings over the box.
Also, if you're using a piezo or any kind of pickup, I wouldn't bother with soundholes, or at least use a few smaller ones. The more surface area you remove from the soundboard the quieter the guitar will be.
Thanks for the replies.
In this case, the bridges, necks, and nuts are identical.
Maybe it's a combination of the sound holes plus the composite material?
(It sounds thin acoustically, and when amped).
1) box top material
2) sound hole size (smaller = bass frequencies, larger = treble frequencies)
3) bridge material
4) bridge contact point on top (where does box resonate best)
In general, the more surface area that is open (sound holes), the more sound will come out from the inside of the box. However, the lid is also a sounding board, so there comes a point where if too much is removed, then you lose sound. From the picture, it looks like that is not the case. Lots of factors contribute to the quality of sound: the box material, neck material, type of bridge saddle, bridge saddle placement, how tight the lid attaches to the neck (for through construction), etc...
I've had some that didn't sound great and I never figured out why.
I did notice that when I switched from using an eyebolt for a bridge to a maple bridge from C. B Gitty, that the sound improved greatly (No, Ben didn't pay me to say that.) it seems that the two small contact points transferred more vibrations and sound from the strings down to the box.
I don't claim to know everything, or anything for that matter. I'm happy to share.
Replies
I have made several guitars, both with and with out sound holes. I get more sound and a better sound from no sound holes, it's difficult to believe. You can still use piezos and get great sound on electric. Sound holes I think are not necessary.
I'm a new guy,but I have been building partscasters and my first CBG type was over 20yrs ago.
I really like the sound of no soundholes.The whole box resonates.
Working my first reso CBG and that definitely needed soundholes.Like said above,smaller is giving more bass,larger more treble.
Its all for shits and giggles anyway,experiment and have fun w/ it!
BNZ
Yep, I'd go with Muddy and Oily (what a combo).
As mentioned, bridge material is important. Bridge height is too. Maybe for your next fretted build try having the fretboard sit a little higher than the box lid. This will allow for a higher bridge and also more clearance for the strings over the box.
Also, if you're using a piezo or any kind of pickup, I wouldn't bother with soundholes, or at least use a few smaller ones. The more surface area you remove from the soundboard the quieter the guitar will be.
Good luck Mark!
In this case, the bridges, necks, and nuts are identical.
Maybe it's a combination of the sound holes plus the composite material?
(It sounds thin acoustically, and when amped).
1) box top material
2) sound hole size (smaller = bass frequencies, larger = treble frequencies)
3) bridge material
4) bridge contact point on top (where does box resonate best)
I've had some that didn't sound great and I never figured out why.
I did notice that when I switched from using an eyebolt for a bridge to a maple bridge from C. B Gitty, that the sound improved greatly (No, Ben didn't pay me to say that.) it seems that the two small contact points transferred more vibrations and sound from the strings down to the box.
I don't claim to know everything, or anything for that matter. I'm happy to share.
Hope this helps!
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